Pop music has and always will be filled with innuendo and blatant suggestions of sex. When the Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show, they had to change the lyric of their song: “Let’s spend the night together” to a milder “Let’s spend some time together”. Look up the lyrics to "Greased Lightning, you know, the wonderful little diddy we all love to sing and dance along too.  If you don't know already you might be quite shocked at the lyrics.   I could list countless older songs you may believe are innocent, but if listened to closely you could see how they could be interpreted as very suggestive.  You know there was a time people didn't like the way Elvis danced!

It’s just a fact that a lot of popular music (past and present) is chock full of suggestive lyrics. It will inevitably offend someone. Interpretation can vary greatly. The way a song is sang and danced too can alter the perception of the song.  And this is something the DJ has no control over. Never has this been more the case than with today’s Hip Hop/Rap/R&B music. I play Top 40 music regularly, even with headphones; I can’t understand the lyrics to most of the songs on the top 40 charts. But, I want you to know that I do my very best to screen new music as it comes out and I keep notes on the ones that I feel are questionable.  We at DJ Mike LLC do not want to offend anyone by playing music that is inappropriate. We rely on our experience and common sense to determine what is and isn’t appropriate. But we are not infallible.  What may offend one person may not offend another, it's very subjective.

We also want to play music that will create a busy and fun dance floor. The fact is a large percentage of people who like to dance, like to dance to top 40 music and much of that music is suggestive. Alot of music played may be the request of the guest or the paying client, who we are trying to please by providing an atmosphere for fun.  All of our Top 40 songs are the radio edits. But you probably know as well as I do that even the radio edits push the boundaries. We try not to play music that we feel is a blatent promotion of sex, drugs or violence.  But many of the new popular songs are usually about one of these catagories.  You can see how this can become quite a paradox.

Whenever there is a complaint or concern, we prefer that our paying client set the standard for what music is appropriate to play and what is not. School dances bring this concern to a whole new level. Along with questionable songs, there is the issue of ‘dirty dancing’. I want to make it clear that DJ Mike LLC should NOT be held responsible for curtailing this activity. That responsibility lies with the chaperones.  Also a particular song played that is deemed inappropriate by someone ,without prior listing as a “no play song”, is not grounds to void the contract. This is why we request a “do not play list”.  A song also can always be stopped at any time upon request.

It is my goal to create a fun, party atmosphere without offending anyone. This can only be done through good communication.  So please take the time to make a list of any ‘No Play’ songs if this issue is a concern.  If needed we can provide a playlist of the popular songs likely to be played at your event for your review. 

Respectfully,
DJ Mike LLC

*( ) I have read and understand the offensive lyrics policy. X __________________________